Velocipede



(No Model.) 2 She etsSheet 1. E. G. LATTA.

VELOGIPEDE. No. 378,253. Patented Feb; 21, 1888.

(No-Mode'L) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. G. LATTA.

I VELOGIPEDE.

No. 378,253. Patented Feb. 21, 1888..

Irivenzor 95 {O 5 3y 4/ 34a g5 v v v fla e ilnirnn STATES 'ATENT Prion.

EMMIT G. LATTA, OF FRIENDSHIP, NE\V.YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE POPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

VELCCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,253, dated February 1383- Applicaiion filed September 16,1887. Serial No. 249,852. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LAT-TA, of Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Velocipedcs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in that class of velocipedes which are known as safetvbicycles, and which are provided with a front steering-wheel and a rear driving-wheel, the two wheels being of about the same diameter.

The object of this invention is to provide amachine which is safe, strong, and serviceable, and more easily steered than the machines now in use, and also to construct the machine in such manner that the same can be folded when not required for use, so as to require little storage-room and facilitate its transportation.

The invention consists of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved vclocipedc. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, with the saddle, handle-bars, and a portion of the main frame removed. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the steering head or post and connecting parts on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4. is a. horizontal section in line Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section in line a; in, Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 6' is a side elevation of the ma.- chine, showing the same folded. Fig. '7 is a top plan view ofthe machine folded, with the handle-bars and saddle removed. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the bracket which supports the crank-shaft on an enlarged scale.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the front steeringwlieel, and B the rear driving-wheel.

1) represents a sprocket-wheel secured to the axle of the driving-wheel, and c is a sprocketwhecl secured to the crank-shaft c, which latter isarranged in front of the driving-wheel. The sprocket-wheels b and c are connected by an endless chain, d.

E represents the pedals, which are secured to the crank-arms e in the usual manner.

The main frame is made triangular in form, and consists of an upright tube, F, a lower tubular fork, F, and an upper tubular fork, F". The forks F F are connected to each other at their rear ends, and at their front ends to the upper and lower ends of the tube F by couplings or forgings f f. The axle of the rear wheel forms a connection through the wheel-hub between the two branches constituting the rear portion of the main frame.

The tube F and forks F F form a rigid and durable triangular supporting-frame, which can be produced at comparatively small expense.

G represents the fork of the front steeringwheel, which is nearly horizontal or slightly inclined, and secured at its rear end to an upright tubular post, 9, which passes upwardly through the tube F of the main frame. The tubular post 9 is supportedin the tube F by a split collar or clamping-ring, 72, secured to the upper end of the post 9, and resting upon the upper end of the tube F.

I represents the saddle, and l the saddle post, which is adj ustably seated in the upper tubular post, 9, and securely clamped therein by the clamping-ring b, so as to turn with the post 9. The upper end of the tubular post g is split, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4., to enable the ring h to clamp the saddle-post firrnl y.

J represents the handle-bars, which are secured to the upper end of an upright rod or post, j. The latter is adjustably arranged in an opening, j, formed in a forward extension, 3' of the upper fork, F, in front of the tube F. The extension j is split, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and is provided with a horizontal clampingbolt, j, whereby the handle-bur post j is rigidly secured in the openingj'.

The tubular post 9 turns freely in the tube F and causes the saddle-post I- and saddle I to turn therewith. The tubes F and 9' thus form the steering-pivot of the maohine,and as they are located nearly in the center of the machine the rear wheel is caused to turn outwardlyin the same measure as the front wheel end of the lower fork, F.

to track "neat-tremor'By pulling backwardly'on' the handle-bars andhioving the body to one side or the other the saddle is caused to swing in the same direction and turn the steering-wheel. This action is just the reverse of the usual manner of steering, but is equally efficient.

In bicycles of ordinary construction, when the rider anticipates a fall it is customary to turn the steering-wheel in the direction toward which the rider is inclined to fall. YVhen the steering-wheel of my improved velocipede is deflected, the saddle swings in an opposite di rection to that in which the rider tends to fall, which enables the rider to regain his balance withverylittle movement of the steeringpivot, and also to maintain a direct course with greater ease than with the ordinary machines. By connecting the saddle with the steering-wheel in this manner and attachingthe driving'gear to the main frame and rear wheel the' steering can be controlled without the use of the handle bars, the saddle acting as a lever whereby the machine is steered. 1f the machine is to be used by a person who is not familiar with this way of steering, but is accustomed to ride a rear driving safety-machine of the kind now in use, the steering apparatus can be readily arranged to suit the requirements of such a rider by securing the saddle-post in an opening, k, provided in the upper fork, F in rear of the tube F and placing the handlebar post in the tube 9. The handle-bar post and the saddle-post are made of the same size to permit of this change.

The fork F is split adjacent to the opening k, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4., and a horizontal clamping-bolt, Z, passes through the split portions of the fork F for securing the saddlepost in the opening 70. The saddle is adjusted slightly forward in this case, so as to give the rider the proper position over the pedals.

The crank-shaft c is supported in suitable bearings formed in the lower end of a bracket, M, which is adjustably secured to the front The bracket M is formed at its upper end with a flat disk, which is provided with two curved slots, 12, through which pass two clamping bolts or screws, 41., secured to the front end of the fork F. By loosening the bolts a the bracket can be moved forward to adjust'the drivechain cl.

Upon loosening the clamping-ring h to release the handle-bars, the front wheel with its fork can be folded back against the rear wheel, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, thus reducing the size of the machine almost one-half, and enabling the same to be stored in a small space, and also facilitating its transportation.

turns inwardly, therebycausing the rear wheel The bracket M is formed with an offset or' bend, a as shown in Fig.8, which permits the fork of the front wheel to rest closely against t e re r w aelhe fa se s ave i 3 tedli'n'esin Fig. 8. The handle-bars may.

1. The combination, with the mainframe, I

of a rear driving-wheel mounted in the main frame, a front steering-wheel mounted in a frame pivoted to the main frame, and a saddle connected with the pivoted frame of the steering-wheel, whereby the movements of the steering-wheel are controlled by the saddle, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the main frame and a handle-bar secured thereto, of a rear driving-wheel mounted in the main frame, a

front steering-wheel mounted in a frame pivoted to the main frame, and a saddleconnected with the pivoted frame of the steering-wheel, substantially as set forth.

3. In a velocipede, the combination, with the front steering-wheel and rear dr1v1ng-= wheel, of a jointed frame connecting the two wheels, a saddle secured to the frame of the front steering-wheel, and handles secured to the frame of the rear wheel, substantially as 3 set forth.

4. The combination,wit h the steering-wheel I and its frame and the driving-wheel and its frame, of a saddle, handle-bars, and interchangeable supports, whereby the saddle and handle-bars can be secured to either frame of the machine, substantially as set forth.

5. In a velocipede provided with a rear driving-wheel, a steering-post and a saddle supported by the steering-post, substantially I as set forth.

6. The combination, with the saddle, handle-bars, and the main frame provided with an upright tube, F, of the steering-wheel B, having a tubular post, 9, arranged in said tube, and supports or sockets arranged in the main frame in front and in rear of the tube F, and whereby the saddle can be connected to the post of the steering-wheel and the handle-bar to the main frame, or vice versa, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the saddle and handlebars and the main frame provided with an upright tube, F, of the front fork provided with a steering-post arranged in said tube, a clamp applied to the upper end ofsaid steering-post, and a saddle-post and handlebar post, either of which can be connected with the steering-post by said clamp, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the main frame,

and the rear wheel mounted therein, of the front wheel, a front fork, G, pivoted to the main frame, and a crank-shaft bracket, M, se-

cured to the main frame and provided with an is adjustably secured to the main frame, sub- IO offset or bend, 1?, which permits the front fork stantially as set forth. to be folded closely against the main frame, Vitness my hand this 19th day of August, substantially as set forth. 1887.

5 9. The combination, with the main frame F and. the crank-shaft c, of a bracket, M, snp- EMMIT porting the crank-shaft and provided with Vitnesses: segmental slots 92-, and clamping-bolts 12-, pass- S. G. LATTA,

ing through said slots,and whereby the bracket FRED H. RICE. 

